In a surprising turn of events, Portugal’s legendary captain Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in the worst XI of Euro 2024, as compiled by the renowned Spanish sports newspaper, Marca. This unexpected inclusion has sparked conversations and debates among football fans and analysts alike.
The 39-year-old forward, who has enjoyed an illustrious career filled with numerous accolades and records, found himself struggling throughout the tournament. Ronaldo failed to score a single goal, and his efforts were not enough to prevent Portugal from being eliminated early from the competition. This underwhelming performance has led to his inclusion in Marca’s list of the most disappointing players of Euro 2024.
Ronaldo was the sole representative from Portugal in Marca’s worst XI, a stark contrast to his usual position among the tournament’s top performers. His inclusion has raised eyebrows, considering his storied career and previous impact on international tournaments. However, his performance this time around did not meet the high expectations set by his previous exploits on the field.
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Joining Ronaldo in the worst XI are notable players from other top European clubs. Arsenal’s versatile defender Oleksandr Zinchenko and Liverpool’s dynamic midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai were also named in the team. Both players, known for their significant contributions to their respective club teams, failed to translate their club form to the international stage, resulting in their inclusion in the underperforming squad.
Here is the full list of Marca’s worst XI of Euro 2024:
Goalkeeper:
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- Dominik Livakovic (Croatia) – The Croatian shot-stopper, who has been instrumental for his club, could not replicate his form in the national colors, leading to several critical errors.
Defenders:
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- Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Italy) – The Italian right-back, who plays for Napoli, struggled defensively and was unable to support his team’s attacking plays effectively.
- Gianluca Mancini (Italy) – The center-back from Roma had a tournament to forget, with his defensive lapses contributing to Italy’s disappointing run.
- Andreas Christensen (Denmark) – The Barcelona defender failed to provide the solidity expected at the back for Denmark.
- Oleksandr Zinchenko (Ukraine) – Arsenal’s adaptable defender was unable to make a significant impact for Ukraine, both defensively and offensively.
Midfielders:
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- John McGinn (Scotland) – The Aston Villa midfielder, usually known for his industrious play, was unable to influence the game in midfield for Scotland.
- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia) – The Lazio midfielder, often a powerhouse in Serie A, found it challenging to dominate the midfield for Serbia.
- Dominik Szoboszlai (Hungary) – Liverpool’s creative midfielder could not find his rhythm, resulting in a lackluster performance for Hungary.
Forwards:
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- Dusan Vlahovic (Serbia) – The Juventus striker, who has been prolific in Serie A, failed to find the back of the net for Serbia.
- Romelu Lukaku (Belgium) – The Inter Milan forward, who is known for his goal-scoring prowess, had a tournament marred by missed opportunities and poor form.
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) – The Portuguese icon’s struggles were evident as he failed to score and make a meaningful impact for his national team.
The selection of these players in Marca’s worst XI highlights the unpredictable nature of football, where even the best players can have off tournaments. For Ronaldo, this tournament will be seen as a rare low point in an otherwise stellar career. Fans will be hoping he can bounce back and rediscover his form in future competitions.
As the dust settles on Euro 2024, discussions about player performances, both good and bad, will continue. While being named in the worst XI is not a title any player desires, it serves as a reminder of the high standards and expectations placed on these football stars.
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